The Elroq is the newer of Škoda’s two electric SUVs. Despite being much smaller than the Enyaq, this is still a heavy, roomy car. Škoda offers the Elroq with a variety of power outputs and rear- and four-wheel drive. For my test, I’m driving the 286hp rear-wheel-drive Sportline.

What am I looking for?

I want to find out how far the Škoda Elroq 85 Sportline will tow on a full charge. I’m wondering if the towing capacity is too restrictive in this electric tow car.

Towing ability of the Škoda Elroq 85 Sportline

Although it’s a similar size to the conventionally powered Škoda Karoq, the electric Elroq is much heavier. With a kerbweight of more than 2.1 tonnes, it’s as hefty as some luxury SUVs.

That bodes well for stability while towing a caravan, so it’s a shame that the Elroq has a low towing capacity of just 1000kg.

I matched the Škoda Elroq 85 Sportline to a Freedom Carpento 360, kindly loaned by Freedom Caravans in Staffordshire. This ultralight four-berth has a MiRO of 660kg and an MTPLM of 750kg.

The Škoda from the rear
The Škoda is very roomy for its size, with ample headroom for both the driver and the front-seat passenger

You don’t have to tow very far before you begin to wonder why the Škoda’s towing capacity is so low. With 286hp and 402lb ft of torque, the Elroq pulls the Freedom up to speed with ease. You know that you are towing because you can see the caravan, but the Carpento barely dents the Škoda’s acceleration.

Reaching 50mph or 60mph (with the latter the speed limit when towing a caravan on a motorway or dual carriageway) is quick, quiet and undramatic. Hill starts are very easy with so much pulling power from a standing start. I found no sign of wheelspin in the dry.

Stability is always one of the most important traits in the best cars for towing a caravan, and here, at speed, it is excellent, too, with almost no movement at the motorway limit, even when around HGVs.

On a mixed route of A-roads and motorways, the Elroq achieved 2.6 miles per kWh of electricity. With a net battery capacity of 77kWh, that gives a potential range of 200 miles. That’s a longer distance than I’ve seen towing with electric cars in the past. I suspect the credit goes to the Freedom van and warm weather, as well as the efficiency of the Škoda.

Arrive on site and you’ll find the Elroq easy to manoeuvre. The rear-view camera gives a clear view of the towball, making hitching up a caravan simple when your holiday comes to an end.

Don’t miss our tips on how to charge an electric car while towing if you’re after some guidance on what you can do to keep your EV topped up, either.

Solo driving the Škoda Elroq 85 Sportline

The Škoda Elroq 85 Sportline is a really easy car to live with in everyday driving. It’s straightforward to drive, with light controls and a smooth response to the throttle.

It’s quick to accelerate, but just as happy to creep gently through stop-start traffic.

Being quite compact by the standards of electric SUVs, the Elroq is also well suited to urban driving. Parking is straightforward, helped by the car’s tight turning circle and rear-view camera.

The screen with its digital display
Digital display rather than dials, but the screen is unusually small

Head beyond the city limits and the Elroq handles tidily. You couldn’t call such a heavy car agile, but it covers ground at a brisk pace without ever becoming flustered.

The Sportline model comes with sports suspension, which fortunately, doesn’t make the ride too stiff. Think firm rather than harsh. Even so, the optional adaptive suspension should prove money well spent, allowing the driver to fine-tune the suspension as preferred.

On the motorway, there’s little to disturb the peace, other than some road noise over coarse surfaces.

Space and practicality

The Elroq is very roomy for its size. Up front, the driver and front-seat passenger have ample headroom and legroom. There’s enough adjustment to both seat and wheel to keep tall and short drivers comfortable.

The cockpit features a digital display rather than regular dials – there’s nothing unusual in that these days, but the Elroq’s screen is unusually small. I found myself relying more on the head-up display, part of the £2250 Advanced Package.

While the display in front of the driver is small, the same can’t be said of the infotainment screen. It measures 13 inches across and looks crisp and clear.

The air-con controls are on the screen, but they are always on show, so there’s no need to work through menus.

The boot in the Elroq
Boot is 470 litres if seats are upright, rising to 1580 litres with them folded

There’s plenty of storage, with big door bins and room under the driver’s armrest. A wireless charging pad sits at the base of the centre console, for use with compatible smartphones.

The back of the car is also very comfortable. There’s enough headroom and legroom for adults, even if those in the front seats are tall. ISOFIX mounting points are fitted to
the outer seats for child seats.

Luggage space is good rather than outstanding. The capacity is 470 litres with the seats left upright, increasing to 1580 litres with both sides of the 60/40 split seats folded. There’s a useful net underneath the parcel shelf for storing the charging cable, which keeps it out of the way when you are loading the boot.

Buying and owning a Škoda Elroq 85 Sportline

In 85 Sportline spec, the Elroq costs £41,610. That pushes the car over the threshold for extra VED for five years once the original tax expires.

I’d be inclined to lose some standard equipment and choose Edition spec instead. Not only is this version almost £3000 cheaper to buy, but it will also save £425 per year in VED.

Charging the car
A 10-80% top-up can be done in half an hour at the right charging point a sufficiently powerful charging point

If you do decide to go for the Sportline, 20-inch alloys, dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control and LED headlights are standard.

Like any electric car, the Elroq will be very cheap to run if you can recharge at home, especially on an EV-specific tariff. Public charging can be pricey, although with a maximum charging rate of 175kW, a 10-80% top-up can be completed in half an hour if you find a sufficiently powerful charging point.

For those of you who are torn between an electric or diesel car, take a look at the difference between towing a caravan from Gloucestershire to Scotland with an EV compared to a diesel SUV.

Alternatives to consider

If you would be happy with a mild hybrid, the Suzuki Vitara 1.4 Mild Hybrid Ultra Allgrip – it will be ideal for lightweight towing, particularly if you like touring in winter.

Or, you could consider the Volvo EX30 Twin Motor Performance Ultra; it’s great to drive and offers a comfortable driving position, if you’re touring as a two.

Technical spec of the Škoda Elroq 85 Sportline

  • Model tested: 85 Sportline
  • Price: £41,610
  • Kerbweight: 2115kg
  • What Car? Target Price: N/A
  • Retained value after three years: N/A
  • Kerbweight: 2115kg
  • 85% of kerbweight: Above max tow
  • Gross vehicle weight: 2650kg
  • Max towing limit: 1000kg
  • Gross train weight: 3650kg
  • Towball limit: 75kg
  • Price of towball: £750
  • Boot size: 470-1580 litres
  • Payload: 535kg
  • Test conditions: Dry
  • Battery size: 77kWh (net)
  • Power: 286hp
  • Torque: 402lb ft
  • Official range: 349 miles
  • Towing range: Up to 200 miles
  • CO2 emissions: 0g/km
  • First year car tax: £10
  • Second year car tax: £620
  • Insurance group: 34E
  • Euro NCAP overall protection rating: TBC

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